FFXIV Random Speculation/Question thread III: Where's my beta invite?

[LD]

It's mostly because the counter-attack mechanic built into a couple of the abilities was very difficult to use even when the opportunity presented itself. Beyond that, Pug abilities weren't as varied as the other's; they were powerful, but were mostly just damage. Lancer didn't just get slow on Skewer, but stuff like Trammel and Speed Surge and Moonrise. Concussive Strike gave acc down, but even if you saw an effect, it wasn't drastically important. Chakra was seen as a godsend by everyone, but it's a relatively early JA that people can just sub.

I enjoyed Pug and I'm going to play one in the beta and at release, but Haymaker and the stance system really need to be tightened up to make the job attractive at all. At any rate, it's definitely going to be one of the fastest job, if not the fastest, so that might be enough to work in the game.

[Johndile]

Yeh I too am going lancer, but not until I've tried other classes first.

[Azriell]

Just got an email from SE.

Thank you for participating in the FINAL FANTASY XIV beta test.

We are pleased to announce the commencement date for the FINAL FANTASY XIV beta test.


Beta Test Start Date: Saturday, July 10, 2010


The beta test schedule will be identical to that of the alpha test, although session duration may be extended and days added as required.

For details, please visit the official testers' site.


In addition, information on testing dates and times will also be posted on the official FINAL FANTASY XIV Twitter feed.

http://twitter.com/FF_XIV_EN
http://twitter.com/FF_XIV_DE
http://twitter.com/FF_XIV_FR
http://twitter.com/FF_XIV_JP

We look forward to your continue assistance in the beta test.

[Johndile]

Yup still waiting for invite...

[blythe]

NICE. They said once they have a few stable beta tests they'll think about inviting more people. But even if not it'll be nice to get some non-official screens and video up in here.

[Mistress Stowastiq]

Very cool!
Hope every one has a wonderful time with the betas

[Hyan]

I think they may not even test the servers with full load in beta?

I mean, the # of testers probably represents the load in LL (2k per server?), but in retail there'll be three different starting cities with each having probably as many people as LL.

I guess there's something I don't know if they think there won't be any huge problems in that scenario.

Can't wait for Sat either way :Q_

[Sephiroth]

I can't decide which class to start as. I don't want to make the same mistake as XI where I went DRK and it was difficult to get an EXP party and almost useless for end-game content without a godly weapon (Kraken).

So I'm probably going to look at the mage jobs, whichever seems closest to BLM. That or Archer.

[Emirii]

"The beta test schedule will be identical to that of the alpha test, although session duration may be extended and days added as required.

For details, please visit the official testers' site."

They will add more testing dates as the smaller increments are successful. "extended" IE longer testing duration, and add more play days.

[FriemOcin]

Those in FFXIV that will be devoted to Lancer: every. fucking. one of you. *shakes fist*

My first large party is probably going to be:

Lancer
Lancer
Lancer
Lancer
Conjurer
Gladiator <-- me

If it's any consolation, I'll probably be that conjurer there.

[Loaar]

"The beta test schedule will be identical to that of the alpha test, although session duration may be extended and days added as required.

For details, please visit the official testers' site."

They will add more testing dates as the smaller increments are successful. "extended" IE longer testing duration, and add more play days.

They can't really extend the times in the current split region format. There are only a couple of hours in between each window, so theres not much room for movement, and they won't move the window times to accomodate since that would push them outside of "primetime" for the respective timezones.

If the servers are stable, they will just merge the regions together and start 24/7 service.

[BlackheartX]

I hope their idea of open beta isn't one week before retail of the CE. As for the guy worried about picking a gimp, it's time to "roll the dice" again. If Archer is gimp day one I'll release an army of "Sad Pandas" in the general direction of Japan. (Please test the length and potency of shadowbind and make sure it doesn't end up like THF's gimpswitch or Blade: Ei)

[Shuichi]

Just got an email from SE.

Nice. Let's get this show on the road. Go my game programming minions! /crackswhip

[Destinye]

I hope their idea of open beta isn't one week before retail of the CE. As for the guy worried about picking a gimp, it's time to "roll the dice" again. If Archer is gimp day one I'll release an army of "Sad Pandas" in the general direction of Japan. (Please test the length and potency of shadowbind and make sure it doesn't end up like THF's gimpswitch or Blade: Ei)

Most MMORPGs worth their salt had very short open beta periods of varying lengths (days, weeks, months, years, never leave open beta etc) if it's a brand new game, so a week or two wouldn't be that bad, because open betas are "demos" anyway, especially if the game is set to be released in 3 months.

Think about it:

Why would SE make open beta 1 week before CE release date? This is why Tanaka said he can't guarantee an open beta at this point now, he'll be cutting it close depending on how these tests go.

[Lucavi]

Those in FFXIV that will be devoted to Lancer: every. fucking. one of you. *shakes fist*

My first large party is probably going to be:

Lancer
Lancer
Lancer
Lancer
Conjurer
Gladiator <-- me

To be fair, I'll be Lancer, then Gladiator. You can't blame some of us Lancer fans. I picked up FFXI originally once I heard there was a Dragoon class in the game, only to find this waifish, light-armor-wearing, wyvern-relying, piss-poor gear wearing, skim milk drinking, non party-getting little turd that SE somehow called a Dragoon.

Justice came years later in the game, but it'll be nice to be able to start fresh with a Dragoon that resembles more of the past: a big guy that dishes the pain, almost takes hits as well as the tank, and uses (correctly, I might add) a big-ass lance.

[Hyan]

I'll murder them if Musketeer doesn't end up being a buffer class =/

The concept is just too awesome to pass!

[Lucavi]

It's mostly because the counter-attack mechanic built into a couple of the abilities was very difficult to use even when the opportunity presented itself. Beyond that, Pug abilities weren't as varied as the other's; they were powerful, but were mostly just damage. Lancer didn't just get slow on Skewer, but stuff like Trammel and Speed Surge and Moonrise. Concussive Strike gave acc down, but even if you saw an effect, it wasn't drastically important. Chakra was seen as a godsend by everyone, but it's a relatively early JA that people can just sub.

I enjoyed Pug and I'm going to play one in the beta and at release, but Haymaker and the stance system really need to be tightened up to make the job attractive at all. At any rate, it's definitely going to be one of the fastest job, if not the fastest, so that might be enough to work in the game.

You know what, LD, you make a good point. Lancer has that one ability in alpha that ensures a hit after a successful dodge, but Jesus, I couldn't figure out the difference between me dodging an attack and the enemy just plain missing me. I couldn't fire it out on parries, and I couldn't fire it out when the enemy missed, so I wound up never using it.

I hope they'll either clarify those types of abilities, or give Lancer a third-eye ability that forces a dodge, so I can just lump the two skills together.

[TacoTaru]

Chakra was seen as a godsend by everyone, but it's a relatively early JA that people can just sub.

Ok, I feel stupid for asking, but when did they confirm subjobs? I've kept up to date with most of the press releases about this game and I don't remember this. I saw Tempyst make the remark about it in the other thread and I thought he was being sarcastic <_<

[Hyan]

Since ermm September last year? :D

It's not really job specific this time though, more like skill specific. Take one skill from PUG, another from LNC, third from CON and apply them all to your GLD main etc.

[BlackheartX]

Ok, I feel stupid for asking, but when did they confirm subjobs? I've kept up to date with most of the press releases about this game and I don't remember this. I saw Tempyst make the remark about it in the other thread and I thought he was being sarcastic <_<

You earn skills as you level a class. You can use gimped versions of some learned class abilities on other class. If you ever play Final Fantasy Tactics it's exactly the same concept.
(I was too late newwwwwwwwwwwooooooooooooooooooooo)